Chapter 14
Reyn wakes up, feeling the weight of something warm and fuzzy on his face. Blinking his eyes open, he finds Ember sprawled across him, her small body curled up and purring contentedly. Startled, he bolts upright, causing Ember to tumble off the bed, giving him an annoyed glance as she flicks her flaming tail indignantly. Reyn laughs, but his smile quickly fades as he realizes with a pang of horror that he's missed 7 full days of classes.
Panicking, Reyn rushes to his workshop and, with a touch of reverence, wraps the Masamune in cloth, securing it with a sheath before tucking it away in his bag. He'd been looking forward to showing it to Garrett and Liora, but first, he had to survive whatever consequences awaited him at the academy.
As expected, Reyn's teachers aren't pleased. For his absence, they assign him a punishment to emphasize discipline. His task? He must carry buckets of water back and forth from the academy courtyard fountain to fill up the large practice barrels in the training yard, which are used by other students during physical training classes. Each bucket is heavy, and his arms ache with every trip, especially after hours of work. By the end, he's drenched in sweat, but he handles it with resilience, knowing he brought this upon himself.
After finishing, Reyn slumps on a bench, only to see Garrett and Liora approaching him with concerned smiles. Liora teases him, joking about how he probably dozed off with Ember's tail on fire, and Garrett claps him on the back, congratulating him on finishing his punishment.
Their support lifts Reyn's spirits, and as they chat, he can't help but feel a growing excitement to finally unveil the Masamune to Garrett.
He takes them back to his home, leading them to his workshop, where he pulls out the Masamune. Garrett's eyes go wide as Reyn reveals the polished blade, describing how he poured everything he knew into it. Then, with a grin, Reyn brings out the surprise he's been working on for Liora: the dual Lightning Kiba blades. The sharp, electric glow from the blades captures Liora's attention immediately, her face lighting up with excitement. He explains how the lightning core she brought back was the final piece needed, making the weapons perfect for her growing skill set.
Finally, he pulls out Edger's sword, designed specifically to match the noble's style and stature. He hands it over to Garrett, confident that Edger will be more than satisfied. The three of them spend the rest of the evening inspecting each weapon and imagining the adventures ahead, feeling a renewed sense of purpose and camaraderie.
Liora is eager to test out her new Lightning Kiba blades. She and Garrett head to a nearby training ground, where she swings the twin blades, feeling the crackle of electricity with each strike. The blades feel perfectly balanced, the lightning energy flowing through them amplifying her movements. Confident, she challenges Garrett to a sparring match, hoping to impress him with her new skills.
Garrett, however, is swift and experienced. He dodges every swing with ease, and though Liora pushes herself, trying different angles and techniques, she can't land a single hit. After several rounds, she's breathing heavily, cheeks flushed with effort, but still grinning, exhilarated by the power of her new weapons. Garrett smiles, offering her some advice on handling the blades and encouraging her to keep practicing.But as the spar wore on, her energy began to wane. With a final swing, she attempted to activate the lightning effect once more, but only a faint spark flickered at the edge of the blade. Her mana had run out, and the electrifying power of the Kiba blades faded.
Seeing this, Garrett stepped back, signaling the end of the match. "You did well, but you'll need to work on conserving your mana for longer fights," he advised, giving her an encouraging nod.
Liora, catching her breath, nodded in agreement, impressed by the demands of her new weapon. She was excited to grow stronger and learn how to control the blades even better.
Before Garrett leaves to deliver Edger's sword, Reyn approaches him with a folded letter. "Give this to Edger along with the sword," he says, a hint of excitement in his eyes. "And tell him it's a special gift from the Blacksmith of a Thousand Tales."
Garrett raises an eyebrow, a small smile creeping onto his face at Reyn's title, but nods, understanding the gesture. "He'll be curious, that's for sure," Garrett says. With a last wave, he heads off, leaving Reyn and Liora to continue refining her skills with the powerful Kiba blades. The two exchange glances, already excited for the next chapter of their journey.
Later Garrett arrives at the Knight Academy, where the training ground is buzzing with activity. Knights and trainees are sparring and honing their skills, the clang of steel and the sounds of exertion filling the air. When Garrett enters, with the legendary Buster Sword slung across his back, heads begin to turn. Whispers ripple through the crowd as others recognize him and the distinctive weapon he carries. Some admire its sheer size and craftsmanship, while others murmur in awe, speculating about Reyn, the young blacksmith behind such a creation. Garrett can't help but smile at the attention as he makes his way to Edger.
Meanwhile, Edger is in the middle of training, running through a set of drills as he tries to push himself harder in preparation for the tournament. He's determined but distracted, feeling the weight of the upcoming competition. As he glances up, he spots Garrett approaching and stops, his heart racing with anticipation. He fumbles his routine, but it doesn't matter—the sight of Garrett with the cloth-covered sword is all he can focus on.
When Garrett finally reaches him, Edger's excitement is barely contained, though he chooses to read Reyn's letter first. As he unfolds it, his expression changes with each line. Initially, he smiles with curiosity, but as he reads on, his eyes widen, and his face grows serious. The letter explains the responsibility tied to the weapon, emphasizing that the Blacksmith of a Thousand Tales only creates weapons for true heroes. It warns that if he ever loses it, it's his duty to retrieve it, and, even more seriously, that if he ever uses the sword for ill, it will be Garrett's responsibility to stop him. The weight of Reyn's words settles heavily on Edger, giving him a profound sense of honor—and caution—about wielding the sword.
After reading, Edger slowly unwraps the cloth covering the weapon, revealing a beautifully crafted blade with intricate designs etched along the hilt and an edge so sharp it gleams in the light. The sword is perfectly balanced in his hands, and he marvels at its weight and power. He takes a few cautious practice swings, feeling the blade cut through the air with ease, unlike any weapon he's wielded before. The craftsmanship is beyond anything he's encountered, and he realizes just how extraordinary this gift is.
The other knights and trainees gather around, eyes wide with admiration, as Edger holds his new sword. Garrett watches, a proud smile on his face, and steps closer to give Edger some final words. He shares a bit about Reyn's skill and dedication, reminding Edger of the responsibility and honor that come with wielding such a weapon. Edger nods solemnly, vowing inwardly to train harder than ever to be worthy of it.
Thank you, Garrett," Edger said quietly, his tone laced with gratitude and resolve. Garrett nodded, patting his friend on the shoulder.
With his new weapon in hand and the words of the blacksmith echoing in his mind, Edger felt more prepared than ever for the challenges ahead.